Eligible cystic fibrosis patients get free access to life-changing drug

MORE than 1200 Australians battling the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis will be given immediate, free access to a life-changing drug from today.

Former Big Brother Winner Regina Sorensen with son Lucas 9, who is battling cystic fibrosis. Photo Lachie Millard

• Cystic fibrosis drug to be listed on PBS

MORE than 1200 Australians battling the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis will be given immediate, free access to a life-changing drug from today.

Last month the revolutionary drug Orkambi, which can ­extend a patient’s life by decades, was given the green light by a drug advisory committee, meaning it was one step closer to being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

But patients and their families feared they would have to wait months before they could access the drug with the federal government needing to broker a deal with the drug company.

Former Big Brother Winner Regina Sorensen said she was “thrilled to bits” with the drug decision. Picture: Lachie Millard

Former Big Brother winner, Reggie Bird, whose son Lucas, 9, suffers from cystic fibrosis, said she feared the government’s ­negotiations would be further derailed by the leadership spill.

“I started to panic,” the ­mother of two said.

But today Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt will announce subsidised access to the drug from October 1 for all patients over the age of six, saving families as much as a quarter of a million dollars a year.

In an unusual move, all eligible patients will be given free access by the drug company Vertex on compassionate grounds from today after lobbying from Mr Hunt.

Lucas is one of the thousands of cystic fibrosis sufferers with a life expectancy of less than 40 years. Ms Bird said she hopes Orkambi will improve his life ­expectancy as well as his quality of life.

“I am absolutely thrilled to bits,” Ms Bird said.

“It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe how fast it has gone ahead.”